The 2025 UN General Assembly: Expectations Amid Global Tensions on Peace and Security

Each September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) brings together world leaders, diplomats, and policymakers in New York to deliberate on pressing global issues. This year’s session carries unusual weight, unfolding at a time of heightened tensions, ongoing conflicts, and shifting power dynamics that have shaken the foundations of international peace and security.

The UNGA is globally the most representative diplomatic forum, with all 193 member states taking part. It provides a stage for countries large and small to voice their concerns, propose solutions, and reaffirm their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter. Although global development, climate change, and human rights will feature strongly in the debates, peace and security are expected to dominate this year’s agenda.

The urgency of collective action is clear. Armed conflicts in Ukraine and across parts of Africa continue to destabilize entire regions, while fragile ceasefires in the Middle East face constant strain. Nowhere is this more evident than in Gaza, where Israel’s military operations against Hamas and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe remain at the center of global attention. Mediation attempts, including ongoing discussions in Doha and other regional capitals, have yet to produce a durable settlement. At the same time, the growing threats of terrorism, violent extremism, and cyber warfare, combined with intensifying geopolitical rivalries, have made cooperation among states more complicated but also more necessary. The humanitarian consequences—millions displaced, food insecurity rising, and civilian casualties mounting—will ensure that peace and security remain at the forefront of the Assembly’s work.

The United States and its European partners are expected to continue pressing for solidarity in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They will stress adherence to international law, the protection of sovereignty, and the need to prevent further erosion of the rules-based order. Washington, in particular, faces the challenge of balancing its defense of Israel’s right to security with calls for humanitarian access in Gaza, a balance that will likely define its engagement at this Assembly.

Russia, by contrast, is expected to defend its actions in Ukraine while portraying NATO and Western sanctions as destabilizing to global peace. Moscow is also likely to highlight what it sees as Western double standards in the Israel-Palestine conflict, positioning itself as an advocate for a multipolar world. China, for its part, will emphasize the need for dialogue over confrontation and present itself as a voice for the Global South. On Gaza, Beijing is expected to call for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations, linking the crisis to its broader push for reforms in global governance to give developing countries greater influence.

For Arab and Muslim-majority nations, Gaza may dominate their interventions. Countries such as Qatar, which has played a central role in facilitating talks between Israel and Hamas, together with Egypt and Jordan, are expected to call for stronger international pressure on Israel, the lifting of blockades, and a renewed commitment to a two-state solution. They are also likely to demand accountability and stronger protections for civilians. Alongside Gaza, regional conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Sudan will be highlighted as urgent crises requiring both international attention and resources for peacebuilding and humanitarian relief.

African nations will also bring security challenges to the floor. Leaders are expected to draw attention to the spread of terrorism in the Sahel, recurrent coups in West and Central Africa, and the prolonged instability in Sudan. Their central message will be that peace cannot be sustained without addressing the root causes of conflict, including poverty, underdevelopment, and inequality. Ghana, in particular, is likely to stress its longstanding contributions to peacekeeping and mediation, reaffirming its commitment to global peace efforts while urging more sustainable funding and stronger mandates to protect civilians in conflict zones. Accra is also expected to push for long-overdue reforms to the UN Security Council, arguing that Africa deserves permanent representation on the body given its growing role in global peacekeeping and diplomacy. As a leading member of ECOWAS, Ghana may also highlight the importance of preventive diplomacy and regional cooperation in responding to instability in West Africa.

Latin American and Caribbean leaders are expected to underline the security implications of organized crime, migration pressures, and economic fragility. Many will call for stronger cooperation to address inequality and the effects of climate change, while reaffirming their commitment to principles of sovereignty and non-intervention. Emerging and middle powers such as India, Brazil, and South Africa, meanwhile, are likely to press for a more balanced international order. As members of the BRICS bloc, these states will position themselves as champions of a multipolar system that gives the Global South greater voice, while also calling for humanitarian protection and dialogue in Gaza and other crisis zones.

The General Assembly does not wield the enforcement powers of the Security Council, but it plays an important role in shaping the moral and political tone of the international community. The speeches and resolutions emerging from this year’s debates will help to frame the global agenda, influence negotiations, and provide momentum for peace efforts. At a time when trust between states is strained and international law is under severe pressure, the Assembly offers one of the few opportunities for nations to come together and listen to one another. Expectations are high that leaders will go beyond rhetoric and translate their words into tangible commitments.

This year’s UN General Assembly arrives at a pivotal moment. With the war in Ukraine unresolved, Africa grappling with instability, and Gaza facing one of the gravest humanitarian crises of our time, the Assembly is expected to serve both as a mirror reflecting the severity of today’s challenges and as a compass pointing toward collective solutions. The world will be watching not only the statements made from the podium, but whether they are followed by real action to advance peace and security for all.